5.20.25 Finding the Mountaintop

We spent today down at the hospital for a bone infusion. It has been a chaotic day with a broken ventilator, multiple rain storms, and 3 different ostomy leaks with accompanying changes. Yet, we did make it to settle into our room for a few hours of blood tests, results, premeds, and the infusion itself. Thankfully she has had no new factures since we started the bone infusions.

Aimee’s ongoing tracheal infection has continued to challenge her and us. Two of the initial bacteria strains have developed resistance to the big single IV antibiotics that we were using in rotation. Also, she is now classified in the hospital system as being colonized with a multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO). This added strain of bacteria that she is now growing requires contact precautions in the hospital setting. It also means that we have to change our tactic for treatment. The Pulmonologist has started her on 3 different IV antibiotics at the same time over a 14 day period. We are 10 days in now. We were nervous that we wouldn’t make it back to the mountaintop, to the place where Aimee is awake and present with us, to the place that makes all of this seem right and good and worth it. It took 7 days to see results, but we are finally noticing significant improvements in her energy, alertness, and respiratory status. Here is our mountaintop. The new combination is a much more complicated routine for us to administer as it is 6 doses per day and is being done by gravity, so we are counting drips and replacing lines and running to and fro. At least that is what it feels like currently. It is next level. 

In spring homestead news, we have a new calf named Garfield who was born 3 weeks ago and a new batch of 6 piggies to help with the milk supply. We are making cheese as much as we can. It sure is wonderful to have plenty, especially with the younger 4 kids growing like spring verdure!